The core problem: Disrupted communication costs 60% of project oversight
The biggest brake on German construction sites is inefficient communication. Almost 60% of general contractors report having no complete overview of the processes on the construction site. Information is exchanged through unstructured channels like WhatsApp groups, emails, and phone calls, resulting in a significant additional workload of at least 5 hours per week per employee. This fragmented flow of information leads directly to misunderstandings and errors. For 80% of site managers, these communication failures are the main cause of disputes with subcontractors. The lack of a central digital communication solution makes seamless and legally secure documentation nearly impossible. This creates a breeding ground for expensive rework and delays, jeopardizing project success from the very start.
The dire consequences: How lack of networking leads to project failures
The consequences of inadequate networking between office and construction site are serious and measurable. Projects like the Elbphilharmonie, whose construction time extended from 3 to 13 years, serve as an expensive reminder of planning errors. Poorly coordinated construction processes and missing coordination between trades lead to delays that quickly increase costs by over 20%. For 90% of general contractors, this ineffective communication is a daily source of stress. But it’s not just about money and time. Missing or outdated information on the construction site leads to defects, which later need to be corrected at a cost factor of up to 15% of the total budget. Incomplete documentation also complicates evidence in legal disputes and can become existentially threatening for companies. A paperless construction site is here the first step towards improvement.
The solution: A central platform for seamless office-construction site networking
The solution lies in centralizing communication and documentation on a single, easy-to-use platform. Instead of countless apps and channels, a software consolidates all relevant information in one place. This reduces administrative effort by up to 5 hours per week per employee. However, such a platform must meet the specific requirements of the construction site: It needs to be mobile, capable of offline use, and above all, intuitive. Acceptance by on-site employees is crucial for success. Valoon addresses this by building on the proven WhatsApp interface, achieving 100% acceptance on the construction site without training effort. The key features include:
- Automatic construction diary: All messages, photos, and documents are archived legally secure and project-related.
- Task management: Assignment and tracking of tasks directly in the chat.
- Live translation: Overcoming language barriers with an integrated translation feature in over 20 languages.
- Digital time sheets: Easy and quick time recording via message, automatically assigned to the correct project.
This central digital collaboration ensures that every employee, from office to construction site, is always on the same informational level.
Efficiency in practice: 40% productivity increase through digital workflows
The introduction of a central communication solution leads to measurable increases in efficiency. With clearly defined and digital workflows, productivity can increase by up to 40%. Instead of working manually through information, documentation occurs automatically in the background. A photo from the construction site is not just shared in a chaotic WhatsApp group, but is saved legally secure with a timestamp, location, and project number. This automation reduces errors caused by manual input by a proven 25%. The digital digitization of the construction site enables processes like defect management or measurement recording to be completed directly on site. This not only saves time in the office but also accelerates decision-making processes by at least 50%, as all relevant information is available in real-time for all participants.
Legal certainty as standard: Seamless documentation at the push of a button
One of the biggest challenges in construction is creating seamless and legally tenable documentation. In case of disputes, the quality of records often determines liability issues and high costs. A digital office-construction site networking systematically solves this problem. Every communication, every photo, and every document is automatically and unchangeably time-stamped and assigned to the correct construction project. This creates a seamless history that fully meets the requirements of the VOB/B and the BGB. With just one click, complete construction day reports or defect protocols can be generated from the collected data. This type of automated documentation reduces the effort required for reporting by up to 70%. Companies thus protect themselves not only from unjustified claims but also fulfill their contractual documentation obligations without additional personnel costs. The real-time communication becomes the legally secure foundation of the project.
Conclusion: Your advantage with Valoon
The digital networking of office and construction site is not a technical end in itself, but a crucial lever for greater economic efficiency and legal certainty. The shift from unstructured channels to a central platform like Valoon reduces communication effort by up to 5 hours per employee per week and increases productivity by up to 40%. You minimize costly errors caused by misunderstandings and create seamless, legally secure documentation that protects you from liability risks. The biggest advantage is simplicity: Since Valoon is based on WhatsApp, there is no training effort required for your team on the construction site. Start optimizing your construction processes today.
Optimize your processes now and secure your projects. Book your free demo and experience how easy networking office and construction site can be.
More Links
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive description of the BVBS Federal Association of Software and Digitalization in Construction, an important association in the construction industry.
Fraunhofer IESE presents a blog post featuring a study on digitalization in the construction industry.
PwC highlights the pressure on the construction industry, especially in the context of digitalization and current challenges in an article.
Fraunhofer IESE provides a detailed PDF document containing the full study on digitalization in the construction industry.
Central Association of the German Construction Industry (ZDB) publishes a position paper on the important topic of digitalization in the construction industry.
Wikipedia explains Building Information Modeling (BIM), a groundbreaking method for the digital planning, construction, and management of buildings.
BVBS Federal Association of Software and Digitalization in Construction offers further information about its work in the field of software and digitalization in construction on its English-language website.
Wikipedia informs about the Ministry of Home Affairs, Municipal Affairs, Construction and Digitalization of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, a central government office.
FAQ
What is the biggest advantage of a digital networking of office and construction site?
The biggest advantage is the massive increase in efficiency while simultaneously enhancing legal certainty. Information flows in real-time, reducing errors by up to 25%, while all processes are automatically and legally tenable documented. This saves time, lowers costs, and minimizes liability risks.
Is the introduction of new software not too complicated for our employees on the construction site?
No, modern solutions like Valoon rely on a user interface that your employees already know: WhatsApp. As a result, no training effort is needed, and acceptance in the team is 100%. Employees continue to use their smartphones as usual while all data is processed legally secure in the background.
How quickly can such a solution be implemented in our company?
The implementation is completed within a few days. Because no new app needs to be installed or complex software learned, you and your team can get started immediately. You simply create a new project and invite your employees to the corresponding WhatsApp group via link.
What costs are incurred for usage on the construction site?
For employees on the construction site, usage is completely free. Valoon’s pricing model stipulates that costs are only incurred for users in the office (e.g., construction and project managers) who analyze and manage the data. This lowers the entry barrier and promotes rapid adoption throughout the organization.
Are my data safe with a WhatsApp-based solution and GDPR compliant?
Yes, absolutely. Although input occurs via the familiar WhatsApp interface, data is not stored on WhatsApp’s servers but on secure, GDPR-compliant servers in Germany. Valoon operates as a standalone system that simply uses the WhatsApp interface to ensure maximum simplicity.
Can we also overcome language barriers with the solution?
Yes, Valoon includes an integrated live translation feature for over 20 languages. An employee can write a message in their native language or record it as a voice message, and the recipient in the office or on the construction site receives it directly in their preferred language. This significantly improves collaboration in international teams.
